First Team News

Joey Barton praises fans

Joey Barton Season 0506

Joey Barton has spoken out for the first time about the support he has received from Manager and fans alike in light of the well documented summer tour to Thailand.

The midfielder said: "Stuart Pearce didn’t have to do what he did after Thailand, and I have great admiration for him, not just as a manager but also as a man.

"Hopefully I can repay him with performances of a high standard. My release is getting out on the pitch."

Barton's fine all-round performance against Birmingham on Saturday included the equalliser in the 2-1 win and afterwards paid tribute to the Club and its fans.

"I am so glad to be part of this Club and I'm glad they stuck by me through bad times. The fans have been different class, and I knew they would be, because they are. I know what they are like when you pull on that shirt."

"Coley (Andy Cole) might not have been flavour of the month before he got here, but once you pull on that City shirt and have that badge on your chest you are one of them, and as long as you perform and give everything that you have got then they will accept you. You cannot ask for more than that.

"To me personally they have been fantastic and they have been like that since I got into the first team. I have my own relationship with City fans because I know that if it wasn’t for them we would not be where we are now."